Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-04-30
LET USACQUIRE WEALTH.

OF the manner dissolution of the Ne
gro problem, much has been written
and said,-much more will be. 1t has
merited and received the careful, con-
siderate attention of the mightiest in
fellects of the race. This Is as it should
be, for, no true lover of his race and
it's prosperity should remain inactive
so long as this problem confronts us
not fully solved. Negro brain and pen
and tongue must continue to agitate
the question. We do not take up our
pen 10 add anything new to its dis
cussion. Rather to emphasize some
of the truths already presented is the
burden of our task; they lose none OF
their power by occasional repetition
The tendency to forget makes 1T nee
essary 10 repeat. the Athenian sage,
Scion, thought the maxim, know
thyself,"of sufficient individual i'm
portance to have it Inscribed in letters
of gold on the Delpic oracle, surely vi
tai truths which concern not only the
individual welfare but the welfare of
a whole race, may be repeated With
profit. OF the many factors requisite
TO tue solution of this question, none
is more essential than wealth. This is
one of the crying needs Of the race.
Money is power, money is momen
tum. The dollar is still almighty and
holds unbounded sway. The love OF
money may be the root of much evil,
vet. in itself, il is also the foundation
of quite as much good. The Savior OF
mankind. it is true was betrayed Tor
money, but the treacherous design
was conceived in the base heart of his
betrayer, long before the money was
given a single thought. Benedict Ar
mold became traitor to his country
for money, but the vile principle of the
man had only been slumhering within
up TO that time, and, unfortunately
for him, it awoke. Ii is true that money
has often Influenced men to the COM
initial of dark deeds, and that much of
the honor and virtue OF the World has
been sacrificed on its affairs, yet, II
we will turn on the other hand, we
will find that 1t has been the friendly
ally of many genuine impulse for
deeds of philanthropy, charity, and
love. When we gaze upon the many
magnificent church edifices, their
spires towering heaven ward built and
solemnly set apart for Gods worship;
upon the many asylums, hospitals and
other charitable institutions for the al
deviation of suffering humanity; upon
the hundreds and thousands of colleges
and seminaries for the scholastic train
ing of the aspiring young; upon the
myriads of school houses, in city and
hamlet, dotting hilltop and valley;
upon the gigantic manufactures, CIV
ing employment to thousands of men.
and upon the happiness prosperity
and advancement,-the natural conse-
auences of the same. we can but ac-
knowledge that wealth, rightly applied
is a blessing. There are many who cry
down wealth and declare it danger.
The danger lies not in its possession
but in its use. | am aware that there
are a great many of the race who have
pofessed scruples against the acquire
ment of wealth, claiming that il draws
men from their religious duties. They
sing, with most ecstatic delight, "You
may have all this world, g i've me Jesus.
Would it not be as well since we are
in the world, TO have some of both? 1t
is not contrary to scripture 10 say that
there are scores and hundreds of persons
possessing riches going straight up to
heaven very day. The possession Of
u riches does not make it necessary to
keep the mind constantly bent in that
direction. If seeking first the king
dom of heaven and its righteousness"
is given The first place in the affections,
toher things may then be added with
out displeasure to God. There are
many things far more sinful than the
iudicious requirement of wealth. 1t is a
bad species of religion which will frown
down, with holy horror the getting and
saving money, and yet, will permit
with impuniiy, the cOmmittal Of acts
far more sinful in the sight of God.
|, Inc Bible refers to such professed right
eouness as this when it speaks of those
who certain at gnat and swallow a
camel" Lavish expenditure and waste
are sinful. Poverty, if caused by in-
dolence is sinful. Great was the cou-
domination for that servant, in the par
able, who impoverished himself by TAX
ing the money given him, and burying
it in the earth; he was too lazy to make
use of it. Wealth is not necessarily in
\ compatible with religion. The same
book which says. II is easier for CAM
ell to go through the eye of q needle,
-Cleopatra's-than for rich man to
enter the kingdom, also says; Go to the
l ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways
I and be wise.
We need wealth in order that we
may so forth 10 meet and vanqulsh the
foes that oppose eachstep Of our prog
II ress How shall il he acquired? We